Following changes to its standing rules, the Senate is experiencing a significant power struggle that could influence the composition of the future National Assembly.
Godswill Akpabio, the president of the Senate; Hope Uzodimma, the governor of Imo State; and Osita Izunaso, the senator from Imo West, are at the center of the intrigue.
Adams Oshiomhole, a former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of Edo State, is also involved in the political calculations.
The Senate changed its standing rules on Tuesday to restrict who is eligible to hold principal and presiding positions.
Only senators who have served in the body continuously for at least eight years are eligible to run for Senate President and Deputy Senate President under the new regulations.
Prior to the change, a ranking senator might run for president if they had served in the National Assembly for at least four years.
Uzodimma, former Delta State governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege were among the returning political heavyweights who were anticipated to run for seats in 2027 because of this clause.
TheCable was informed by insiders that the modification was more about political calculation than legislative process.
According to one source, it was a “preemptive strike against ambitious returnees, particularly Uzodimma.”
Uzodimma Wants to Return to the Senate
According to reports, Uzodimma plans to rejoin the Senate in 2027.
Imo West senate District APC stakeholders declared the governor their preferred candidate last week by purchasing and presenting the ruling party’s senate candidacy and expression of interest forms.
He has also received support for the Senate position from the Imo APC.
Uzodimma served as Imo West’s representative from 2011 to 2019 until winning the governorship in 2020 after the Supreme Court ruled that Emeka Ihedioha’s election was invalid.
Imo’s election schedule was changed by that ruling. The state became an off-cycle governorship state when Uzodimma took office on January 15, 2020, months after governors were chosen in the 2019 general election.
It is anticipated that his second term, which started on January 15, 2024, will conclude on January 15, 2028.
Considering the Placeholder Option
In June 2027, months before Uzodimma’s term as governor expires, the new National Assembly is anticipated to take office.
According to insiders, the governor might think about appointing a trusted ally as a placeholder candidate for the Orlu Senate seat in 2027. This person would fill the role briefly until Uzodimma’s term ends in January 2028.
Sources claim that another possibility under consideration is for the governor to step down before the conclusion of his term and transfer power to his deputy for the remaining months.
Izunaso’s chances of returning to the Senate would be impacted by such a move.
Even if Uzodimma finally returns to the red chamber, the new Senate rule seems to have barred his road to the Senate presidency.
Oshiomhole, whose own aspirations would also be impacted by the new rule, allegedly offered the only opposition to the change during Tuesday’s Senate floor discussions.
